Electrical control



April 26, 1955 A. v. HUGHES ELECTRICAL CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJan. 15, 1946 INVENTOR BY Mi.

ATTORNEY April 26, 1955 A. v. HUGHES 2,706,957 ELECTRICAL CONTROL FiledJan. 15, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR flrf/ll/r [fluyfiesr 4 51.! Z.ATTORNEY April 26, 1955 A. v. HUGHES 2,706,957 ELECTRICAL CONTROL FiledJan. 15, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY W ATTORNEY United States PatentELECTRICAL CONTROL Arthur V. Hughes, Sharon, Pa., assignor toWestinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporationof Pennsylvania Application January 15, 1946, Serial No. 641,377

18 Claims. (Cl. 114--20) My invention relates to torpedoes and, moreparticularly, to electrical control systems for jet, or rocket,propelled torpedoes.

My system of control is intended for use primarily on ranging, orexercise, shots of torpedoes where it is not desirable to use a torpedofiring tube nor to use plane launching. My invention does, however, alsoapply to plane launched torpedoes and to the type of torpedo fired froma tube. However, as disclosed in detail hereinafter, my invention isused with a torpedo that starts from a stationary suspension above or inthe Water.

An object of my invention is the provision of electrical control for jetpropelled torpedoes.

Another object of my invention is the provision of remote control firingsystems for jet propelled torpedoes.

Another object of my invention is the provision of depth control timedelay for controlling the trajectory of accelerating torpedoes.

- The objects recited are merely illustrative. Many other objects andadvantages will become more apparent from a study of the followingspecification and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1.is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical control for a jetpropelled torpedo;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tailcone and after-bodyof a jet propelled torpedo; and

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the exercise head of thetorpedo.

For ranging, or exercise, shots, it is very desirable thatthe torpedo atthe end of its run become buoyant. I, therefore, provide a set ofswitches, as C, and d, operated by cams driven by the electric timermotor TM. This motor once the trigger switch 3 has been operatedcontrols the entire sequence of operation of the events that are to takeplace from the moment the trigger switch 3 is operated until the torpedopropulsion has stopped and the torpedo is buoyant.

The torpedo includes the gyrostat GS for controlling the steeringrudders 100 .and 101. Suitable solenoids, as solenoid RRS for operationof the rudders to the right and solenoid LRS for operation of thesteering rudders to the left, are interconnected with the source ofelectric energy B and the gyro steering control.

The depth control includes a pendulum and a pressure responsivediaphragm also acting on the pendulum. The pendulum movement is thus afunction of pressure of the sea water above the torpedo and the angulardisposition of the torpedo axis with reference to the horizon.

The pendulum of the depth control DP actuates contacts 42 which controlthe elevator rudders mounted in horizontal bearings in the tail-cone Tand actuated by the yoke 102. The yoke 102 is mechanically coupled tothe armatures of the down rudder solenoid DRS and up rudder solenoidURS.

The timer motor, operating a controller of well known design includingcams for operating the contacts a, b,

c, and d in sequence, on start allows suflicient time for the gyro wheelW to come up to rated speed, and then the gyrostat is unlatched and thewheel declutched from the motor. At the same time the gyrostat isunlatched,

the torpedo is released from its suspension and the jet motor is firedautomatically.

By keeping the running time of the gyromotor to a minimum, anunnecessary drain will not be placed on the internal battery source. Theother functions of the timer motor are (1) to provide a depth controltime ice delay, (2) to energize the exercise head blow off system, and(3) to deenergize the control circuit at the end of the run.

For safety reasons, an external source of energy is used to fire the jetmotor M. The leads, designated To Shore, to the external source are ledpast the nozzle N of the jet motor M and into the torpedo through asuitable packing gland and are burned away almost instantaneously whenthe motor starts, thus releasing the torpedo for its run. The externalsource, or external battery EB is not connected by the closure of theshore switch SS until the torpedo is ready to be started so that, priorto that time, even it the trigger switch T should accidentally beactuated during handling or transportation of the torpedo. The jet motorM will thus only become operative after both the trigger switch T andthe shore switch SS are actuated.

These safety features are important for a torpedo of this type, since ajet propelled torpedo, unlike a propeller driven torpedo, develops fullthrust in the atmosphere. Accidental starting would involve aconsiderable hazard to personnel and surroundings over a wide area.

The exercise head is substantially of conventional shape and includesthe ballast liquid chamber 104 and a ballast liquid discharge valve 105.The flask F containing the CO2 is mounted on the bulkhead between theexercise head and the battery compartment. A squib operated valve 55opens the flask to the exercise head to force the ballast liquid out ofthe exercise head.

The battery compartment is relatively small and extremely simple inconstruction as seen from Fig. 3. A large battery is not needed becausethe load units are relatively few but above all are of the type that donot appreciably load the battery.

The tail-cone and after-body have the general outside contour of aconventional torpedo but the internal construction is radicallydifferent.

The propulsion motor M comprises an extremely strong elongated tank 107provided with a reinforced thrust ring 108. This ring is bolted to thethrust receiving spider 109 rigidly secured to'the torpedo body.

The bulkhead 110 carries the solenoids for actuating the rudders andfits snugly about the aft end of the tank of the motor to center the aftend. The bulkhead 110 does, however, not receive the thrust of themotor. The thrust is all taken by the spider 109 from the thrust ring108.

At the region of the forward end of the motor M, the torpedo is providedwith an inwardly directed flange 112 upon which a selected number ofballast rings 113 are bolted. The ring and semiring constructions arechosen so that the torpedo may be given a proper balance longitudinally,the trim may be adjusted, and propulsion motors of differential axiallength may be used.

A better understanding of my invention may be had from a study of atypical operating cycle of a torpedo making an exercise run.

When the torpedo T is to be setin operation, the block 1 is withdrawnfrom under the lever 2 of the springbiased trigger switch 3 whereupon acircuit is established from the positive terminal of the battery Bthrough conductor 4, contacts 5 and 6 of the trigger switch 3,conductors 7 and 8, the contacts d under the control of the timer motorTM, resistor 9, actuating coil 10 of the stop switch 11 and conductors12 and 13 to the negative terminal of the battery B.

Operation of the stop switch 11 establishes a circuit from thepositively energized conductor 7 through contacts 14, conductor 15,actuating coil 16 of the timer contactor 17 to the negative terminal ofthe battery B. Operation of the timer contactor efiects the closing ofcontacts 18 to connect the timer motor across a suitable portion of thebattery B. The timer motor thus begins I to operate and afterappropriate successive time intervals ductor 15 through the gyro motorGM, resistor 20, actuating coil 21 of the initial-up-rudde r-relay IURR,to conductor 13. The energization of co l 21 is, however, substantiallynil because the gyro switch 19, shunting C011 21, is at this stageclosed.

Since the gyro motor is in firm clutching engagement with the shaft ofthie gyro wheel W, the gyro wheel 15 brou htu tosee.

Asiumii g that the torpedo is launched, or started pointing directly atthe target, namely, that the contact wheel 22 of the gyrostat isdirectly on the narrow insulating strip 23. A circuit is thusestablished from conductor 15 -.through resistor 24, conducting sector25, conductor 26, actuating coil 27 of the auxiliary relay TR2 toconductor 13. A similar circuit is established from conductor 15 throughresistor 28, conducting sector 29, conductor 30, and the actuating coil31 of the auxiliary relay TR1 to conductor 13. The contacts 48 and 51are thus opened and the steering rudders are thus not actuated to eitherside of the longitudinal axis of the torpedo.

After the gyro wheel is up to full speed, the timer motor operates itscontacts a, closing them, thereby establishing a circuit from conductor15 through contacts a, the coil 32 for actuating the gyro clutch GC. Aninstant after the gyro wheel is declutched from the gyro motor, thespring biased levers 33 and 34, lpcking the gyrostat in position, areoperated by the biasing springs shown. The gyrostat is thus released andcan thus assume the required steering control.

Operation of lever 33 also releases the gyro release switch, orcontactor 63, whereupon the contacts 19 are opened and contacts 59 areclosed.

Opening of contacts 19 removes the shunt for coil 21, and thisinitial-up-rudder-relay operates to close contacts 35. Closing ofcontacts 35 establishes a circuit from conductor 15 through contacts 35and 36, resistor 37, and actuating coil 38 of the up-rudder-solenoidURS.The rudders coupled to yoke 102 and falling in the horizontal plane arethus deflected upwardly. The normal tendency of the torpedo to dive isthus prevented. The resistor 37 has a resistance value so selected oradjusted that the up-rudder force is at a desired value.

It will be noted that the igniter IG for the et propellent is in acircuit including the contacts 59 and the terminals designated To Shore.The T Shore circuit includes a suitable source of potential EB and ashore switch 55. In connection with actual shots made with this type oftorpedo, the switch and source of potential were actually located onshore at some considerable distance from the torpedo so as to insure thesafety of the personnel making the tests.

The propellent contained in the propulsion motor, once ignited, isextremely violent in action, and the explosive flaming gases issuingfrom the nozzle are quite dangerous to anyone near the torpedo.

The gyro contactor 63 is also provided with an additional contact 60 forestablishing a circuit through coil 61 of the suspension mechanism forthe torpedo. When the coil 61 is energized, the latch 62 of thesuspension mechanism 54 is tripped and the torpedo is thus free of itsmooring or suspension the instant the igniter is actuated.

The timing of the timer motor is such that contacts b close as soon asstable torpedo speed has been established.

Closure of contacts b establishes a circuit from energized conductor 15,contacts 35, conductor 39, contacts b, conductor 40, actuating coil 41of the normal rudder relay NRR to conductor 13. The normal rudder relaycloses contacts 58 shunting resistor 37, thereby fully energizing thesolenoid coil 38. However, it does not follow necessarily that coil 38will be fully energized. For the stable torpedo speed assumed, the depthcontrol apparatus DP will assume its assigned function the momentcontacts b are closed.

If at the instant contacts b are closed, the torpedo is operating eitherat a depth that is too great or is diving at a rate that is too rapid orboth, then contacts 36 will be closed and coil 38 will be fullyenergized to efiect operation of the torpedo at a lesser depth or at alesser diving angle or both.

When the torpedo arrives at the proper depth, it is apt to overshoot.The instant such action takes place, contacts 42 close, thus energizingcoil 43 of the depth relay DR. This relay thereupon opens contacts 36and closes contacts 44. Closure of contacts 44 fully energizes the coil45 of the down-rudder solenoid DRS.

Relay DR is alternately energized and deenergized with suitable rapidityso that the torpedo remains at the proper depth.

After the torpedo hits the water, contact wheel 22 is not apt to stay onthe insulating strip 23. If it moves to make contact with conductingsegment 25, coil 27 is shunted by a circuit through wheel 22 andconductors 46 and 12 to conductor 13.

Deenergization of coil 27 effects the closing of contacts 48 toestablish a circuit from conductor 15 through coil 47 of relay SR2 andcontacts 48. Operation of the SR2 relay closes contacts 49 to thusenergize the coil 50 of the right rudder solenoid RRS. The steeringrudders are thus deflected to the right and in consequence the torpedoveers to the right to again bring the wheel 22 and segment 23 inregistry to thus reenergize coil 27 and deenergize coils 47 and 50.

Since the wheel 22 and segment 23 are not apt to stay in registry butthe wheel 22 is apt to move onto segment 29, coil 31 is thus deenergizedby the shunt through wheel 22 and conductors 46 and 12.

Deenergization of coil 31 effects the closing of contacts 51 to thusenergize relay SR1. Operation of relay SR1 effects the closing ofcontacts 52 to thus energize the coil 53 of the left rudder solenoidLRS. The steer ing solenoids are thus alternately energized by thesocalled hard-over steering control. The hard-over" steering controlproduces a slight meandering course of the torpedo but the averagecourse is maintained with surprising accuracy.

The so-called To Shore leads, it will be noted, pass through the jetregion of the propellant. A desirable operation is thus obtained. The T0Shore leads, after the ignition has taken place are burned off thereforeremoving all potential from the igniter and the contacts 59. The T0Shore leads thus no more enter into any other function of the electricalcontrol.

My invention is mainly, though not exclusively, at present used forexercise runs of torpedoes and the control is thus devised for theexercise head of a torpedo. It is thus important to retrieve the torpedoafter each run.

At or near the end of the exercise run, the timer motor closes contactsc whereupon a circuit is established from a given positive point on thebattery through the squib 55 of the CO2 flask F, conductor 56, contactsc, and conductor 57 to the conductor 13.

The CO2 gas from the flask thus expels the ballast liquid from theexercise head making the torpedo buoyant.

A short time after operation of contacts 0, the contacts a' are opened.Opening of contacts d deenergizes coil 10 of the stop relay 11. Thisstop relay opens its contacts 14, deenergizing the coil 16 of relay 17and also deenergizes all of the control circuits except the circuit forthe timer motor; however, deenergization of coil 16 effects the openingof contacts 18 to thus deenergize the timer motor.

My control, although primarily devised for exercise shots could be usedfor war shots from surface craft such as destroyers or PT boats withoutchange except for the substitution of a suitable war head in place ofthe exercise head. Tube launching need not be used. The torpedo could becatapulted from the deck with the jet motor supplying the force for thecatapult.

While I have shown but one embodiment of my invention, I do not wish tobe limited to the specific showing made but wish to be limited only bythe scope of the claims hereto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering control means and substantially conventional depthcontrol means acting on the steering rudders and elevator rudders,respectively, in combination, a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, anigniter therefor, a source of electric energy for the igniter, switchingmeans remote from the torpedo for establishing a partial circuit betweenthe igniter and the source of electric energy, and means responsive to acertain operating condition of the steering control means for completingthe circuit for the igniter.

2. In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering control means and sub- 'tively, in combination,suspending means stantially conventional depth control means acting onthe steering rudders and elevator rudders respectively, in combination,a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an igniter therefor, a source ofelectric energy for the igniter, switching means remote from the torpedofor establishing a partial circuit between the igniter and the source ofelectric energy, means responsive to a certain operating condition ofthe steering control means for completing the circuit for the igniter,and means operable at the instant the igniter circuit is completed forpositioning the elevator rudders in an up rudder posi tion for aselected time interval.

3. In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering control means and substantially conventional depthcontrol means acting on the steering rudders and elevator rudders,respectively, in combination, a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, anigniter therefor, a source of electric energy for the igniter, switchingmeans remote from the torpedo for establishing a partial circuit betweenthe igniter and the source of electric energy, means responsive to acertain operating condition of the steering control means for completingthe circuit for the igniter, and means for disconnecting the igniterfrom the source of electric energy by the firing of the jet propulsionmotor.

4. In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering control means and substantially conventional depthcontrol means acting on the steering rudders and elevator rudders,respectively, in combination, a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, anigniter therefor, a source of electric energy for the igniter, switchingmeans remote from the torpedo for establishing a partial circuit betweenthe igniter and the source of electric energy, means responsive to acertain operating condition of the steering control means for completingthe circuit for the igniter, means operable at the instant the ignitercircuit is completed for positioning the elevator rudders in anup-rudder position for a selected time interval, and means fordisconnecting the igniter from the source of electric energy by thefiring of the jet propulsion motor.

5. In a suspended topedo having substantially conventionalgyroscopically controlled steering control means and substantiallyconventional depth control means acting on the steering rudders andelevator rudders, respectively, in combination, suspending means for thetorpedo, a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an igniter therefor, asource of electric energy for the igniter, switching means remote fromthe torpedo for establishing a partial circuit between the igniter andthe source of electric energy, means responsive to a certain operatingcondition of the steering control means for completing the circuit forthe igniter, and means operable at the instant the igniter circuit iscompleted for releasing the torpedo from its suspension.

6. In a suspended torpedo having substantially conventionalgyroscopically controlled steering control means and substantiallyconventional depth control means acting on the steering rudders andelevator rudders, respectively, in combination, suspending means for thetorpedo, a jet propulsion motorfor the torpedo, an igniter therefor, asource of electric energy for the igniter, switching means remote fromthe torpedo for establishing a partial circuit between the igniter andthe source of electric energy, means responsive to a certain operatingcondition of the steering control means for completing the circuit forthe igniter, means operable at the instant the igniter circuit iscompleted for positioning the elevator rudders in an up-rudder positionfor a selected time interval, and means operable at the instant theigniter circuit is completed for releasing the torpedo from itssuspension.

7. In a suspended torpedo having substantially conventionalgyroscopically controlled steering control means and substantiallyconventional depth control means acting on the steering rudders andelevator rudders, respecfor the torpedo, a jet propulsion motor for thetorpedo, an igniter therefor, a source of electric energy for theigniter, switching means remote from the torpedo for establishing apartial circuit between the igniter and the source of electric energy,means responsive to a certain operating condition of the steeringcontrol means for completing the circuit for the igniter, means fordisconnecting the igniter from the source of electric energy by thefiring of the jet propulsion motor, and means operable at the instantthe igniter circuit is completed for releasing the torpedo from itssuspension.

8. In a suspended torpedo having substantially conventionalgyroscopically controlled steering control means and substantiallyconventional depth control means acting on the steering rudders andelevator rudders, respectively, in combination, suspending means for thetorpedo, a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an igniter therefor, asource of electric energy for the igniter, switching means remote fromthe torpedo for establishing a partial circuit between the igniter andthe source of electric energy, means responsive to a certain operatingcondition of the steering control means for completing the circuit forthe igniter, means operable at the instant the igniter circuit iscompleted for positioning the elevator rudders in an up-rudder positionfor a selected time in terval, means for disconnecting the igniter fromthe source of electric energy by the firing of the jet propulsion motor,and means operable at the instant the igniter circuit is completed forreleasing the torpedo from its suspension.

9. In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering means, including steering rudders, and substantiallyconventional depth control means, including elevator rudders, acting onthe steering rudders and elevator rudders, respectively, in combination,a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an igniter therefor, a source ofelectric potential for the igniter, an exercise head for the torpedocontaining ballast liquid, means for expelling the ballast liquid fromthe exercise head, control circuits, a second source of potentialinterconnected with the first source of potential, a timer motor foreffecting changes in said control in timer sequence, means operable whenthe torpedo is to be set in operation for connecting the timer motor tosaid second source of potential, switching means remote from the torpedofor establishing a partial circuit between the igniter and the firstsource of potential, means responsive to a given operation of the timermotor for completing the circuit for the igniter, and means operable bythe timer motor after a predetermined time of operation of the jetpropulsion motor for effecting the operation of the means for expellingthe ballast liquid from the exercise head.

In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopically controlledsteering means, including steering rudders, and substantiallyconventional depth control means, including elevator rudders, acting onthe steering rudders and elevator rudders, respectively, in combination,a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an igniter therefor, a source ofelectric potential for the igniter, an exercise head for the torpedocontaining ballast liquid, means for expelling the ballast liquid fromthe exercise head, control circuits, 3. second source of potentialinterconnected with the first source of potential, a timer motor forefiecting changes in said control in timer sequence, means operable whenthe torpedo is to be set in operation for connecting the timer motor tosaid second source of potential, switching means remote from the torpedofor establishing a partial circuit between the igniter and the firstsource of potential, means responsive to a given operation of the timermotor for completing the circuit for the igniter, means set in operationby the timer motor at substantially the instant the igniter circuit iscompleted for positioning the elevator rudders in an up-rudder positionfor a selected time interval, and means operable by the timer motorafter a predetermined time of operation of the jet propulsion motor foreffecting the operation of the gneajns for expelling the ballast liquidfrom the exercise 11. In a torpedo having substantially conventionalgyroscopically controlled steering means, including steering rudders,and substantially conventional depth control means, including elevatorrudders, acting on the steering rudders and elevator rudders,respectively, in combinafor the torpedo, an igniter potential for theigniter, an exercise head for the torpedo containing ballast liquid,means for expelling the ballast liquid from the exercise potential,switching means remote from the torpedo for establishing a partialcircuit between the igniter and the first source of potential, meansresponsive to a given operation of the timer motor for completing thecircuit for the igniter, means set in operation by the timer motor atsubstantially the instant the igniter circuit is completed forpositioning the elevator rudders in an uprudder position for a selectedtime interval, means for severing the leads of the igniter, leading tosaid remote control point, at the torpedo by the firing of thepropulsion motor, and means operable by the timer motor after apredetermined time of operation of the jet propulsion motor foreffecting the operation of the means for expelling the ballast liquidfrom the exercise head.

12. In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering means, including steering rudders, and substantiallyconventional depth control means, including elevator rudders, acting onthe steering rudders and elevator rudders, respectively, in combination,a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an igniter therefor, a source ofelectric potential for the igniter, an exercise head for the torpedocontaining ballast liquid, means for expelling the ballast liquid fromthe exercise head, control circuits, a second source of potentialinterconnected with the first source of potential, a timer motor foreffecting changes in said control in timer sequence, means operable whenthe torpedo is to be set in operation for connecting the timer motor tosaid second source of potential, switching means remote from the torpedofor establishing a partial circuit between the igniter and the firstsource of potential, means responsive to a given operation of the timermotor for completing the circuit for the igniter, means for severing theleads of the igniter, leading to said remote control point, at thetorpedo by the firing of the propulsion motor, and means operable by thetimer motor after a predetermined time of operation of the jetpropulsion motor for elTecting the operation of the means for expellingthe ballast liquid from the exercise head.

13. In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering means, including steering rudders, and substantiallyconventional depth control means, including elevator rudders, acting onthe steering rudders and elevator rudders, respectively, in combination,releasable retaining means for retaining the torpedo in fixed positionat the firing base, a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an ignitertherefor, a source of electric potential for the igniter, an exercisehead for the torpedo containing ballast liquid, means for expelling theballast liquid from the exercise head, control circuits, a second sourceof potential interconnected with the first source of potential, a timermotor for efiecting changes r circuit between the igniter and the firstsource of potential,

means responsive to a given operation of the timer motor for completingthe circuit for the igniter, means, subject to the controlling efiect ofthe timer motor, operable the instant the igniter circuit is completedfor operating said releasing means to release the torpedo from its fixedposition at the firing base, and means operable by the timer motor aftera predetermined time of operation of the jet propulsion motor forefiecting the operation of the Iriieains for expelling the ballastliquid from the exercise 14. In a torpedo having substantiallyconventional gyroscopically controlled steering means, includingsteering rudders, and substantially conventional depth control means,including elevator rudders, acting on the steering rudders and elevatorrudders, respectively, in combina-. tion, releasable retaining means forretaining the torpedo in fixed position at the firing base. a jetpropulsion motor for the torpedo, an igniter therefor, a source ofelectric potential for the igniter, an exercise head for the torpedocontaining ballast liquid, means for expelling the ballast liquid fromthe exercise head, control circuits, a second source of potentialinterconnected with the first source of potential, a timer motor foreffecting changes in said control in timed sequence, means operable whenthe torpedo is to be set in operation for connecting the timer motor tosaid second source of potential, switching means remote from the torpedofor establishing a partial circuit between the igniter and the firstsource of potential, means responsive to a given operation of the timermotor for Completing the circuit for the igniter, means set in operationby the timer motor at substantially the instant the igniter circuit iscompleted for positioning the elevator rudders in an up-rudder positionfor a selected time interval, means subject to the controlling efiectpfthe timer motor, operable the instant the igniter circuit is completedfor operating said releasing means to release the torpedo from its fixedposition at the firing base, and means operable by the timer motor aftera predetermined time of operation of the jet propulsion motor foreffecting the operation of the means for expelling'the ballast liquidfrom the exercise head.

15.111 a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering means, including steering rudders, and substantiallyconventional depth control means, including elevator rudders, acting onthe steering rudders and elevator rudders, respectively, in combination,releasable retaining means for retaining the torpedo in fixed positionat the firing base, a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an ignitertherefor, a source of electric potential for the igniter, an exercisehead for the torpedo containing ballast liquid, means for expelling theballast liquid from the exercise head, control circuits, :1 secondsource of potential interconnected with the first source of potential, atimer motor for effecting changes in said control in timed sequence,means operable when the torpedo is to be set in operation for connectingthe timer motor to said second source of potential, switching meansremote from the torpedo for establishing a partial circuit between theigniter and the first source of potential, means responsive to a givenoperation of the timer motor for completing the circuit for the igniter,means for severing the leads of the igniter, leading to said remotecontrol point, at the torpedo by the firing of the propulsion motor,means, subject to the controlling effect of the timer motor, operablethe instant the igniter circuit is completed for operating saidreleasing means to release the torpedo from its fixed position at thefiring base, and means operable by the timer motor after a predeterminedtime of operation of. the jet propulsion motor for effecting theoperation of the means for expelling the ballast liquid from theexercise head.

16. In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering means, including steering rudders, and substantiallyconventional depth control means, including elevator rudders, acting onthe steering rudders and elevator rudders, respectively, in combination,releasable retaining means for retaining the torpedo in fixed positionat the firing base, a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an ignitertherefor, a source of electric potential for the igniter, an exercisehead for the torpedo containing ballast liquid, means for expelling theballast liquid from the exercise head, control circuits, a second sourceof potential interconnected with the first source of potential, a timermotor for effecting changes in said control in timed sequence, meansoperable when the torpedo is to be set in operation for connecting thetimer motor to said second source of potential, switching means remotefrom the torpedo for establishing, a partial circuit between the igniterand the first source of potential, means responsive to a given operationof the timer motor for completing the circuit for the igniter, means setin operation by the timer motor at substantially the instant the ignitercircuit is completed for positioning the elevator rudders in anrip-rudder position for a selected time interval, means for severing theleads of the igniter, leading to said remote control point, at thetorpedo by the firing of. the propulsion motor. means, subject to thecontrolling effect of the timer motor, operable the instant the ignitercircuit is completed for operating said releasing means to release thetorpedo from its fixed position at the firing base, and means operableby the timer motor after a predetermined time of operation of the jetpropulsion motor for effecting the operation of the means for expellingthe ballast liquid from the exercise head.

17. In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering means, including steering rudders, and substantiallyconventional depth control means, including elevator rudders, acting onthe steering rudders and elevator rudders, respectively, in cornbination, a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an igniter therefor, asource of electric potential for the igniter, an exercise head for thetorpedo containing ballast liquid, means for expelling the ballastliquid from the exercise head, control circuits, a second source ofpotential interconnected with the first source of potential, a timermotor for effecting changes in said control in timed for expelling theballast liquid from the exercise head.

18. In a torpedo having substantially conventional gyroscopicallycontrolled steering means, including steering rudders, and substantiallyconventional depth control means, including elevator rudders, acting onthe steering rudders and elevator rudders, respectively, in combination,a jet propulsion motor for the torpedo, an igniter therefor, a source ofelectric potential for the igniter, an exercise head for the torpedocontaining ballast liquid,

means for expelling the ballast liquid from the exercise head, controlcircuits,

a second source of potential interpleted for positioning the elevatorrudders in an uprudder position for a selected time interval and by aselected force, means for severing the leads of the igniter, leading tosaid remote releasing means to release the torpedo from its fixedposition at the firing base, and means operable by the timer motor aftera predetermined time of operation of the jet propulsion motor foreffecting the operation of the means for expelling the ballast liquidfrom the exercise head.

No references cited.

